ABAP Cloud on BTP Trial: Free Start in 2026

Want to learn ABAP Cloud without spending money right away? With the SAP BTP Trial Account, you can get started for free and gain initial experience with the modern ABAP development environment. In this tutorial, I’ll show you step by step how to set up your account, activate the ABAP Environment, and write your first program.

What is SAP BTP Trial?

SAP Business Technology Platform (BTP) is SAP’s central cloud platform for enterprise applications. The Trial Account gives you free access to many services - including the ABAP Environment, which provides you with a fully-featured ABAP Cloud development environment.

What do you get for free?

Important: The Trial Account is intended for learning and evaluation purposes. For productive applications, you need a paid account.

Step 1: Create SAP BTP Trial Account

1.1 Register SAP Universal ID

If you don’t have an SAP ID yet, you need to create one first:

1. Open account.sap.com
2. Click “Register”
3. Fill out the form:
   • First and last name
   • Email address (business email preferred)
   • Choose password
4. Confirm your email address
5. Complete your profile

Tip: Use an email address you’ll have long-term access to. The SAP ID is your key to all SAP resources.

1.2 Activate BTP Trial Account

1. Navigate to account.hanatrial.ondemand.com

2. Log in with your SAP Universal ID

3. Click “Enter Your Trial Account”

4. Select your preferred Region:

   • Europe (Frankfurt) - eu10 (recommended for DACH region)
   • US East (VA) - us10
   • Singapore - ap21

5. Accept the terms of use

6. Wait until your subaccount is created (approx. 2-5 minutes)

After successful creation, you’ll see your Trial Subaccount in the BTP Cockpit.

Step 2: Set Up ABAP Environment

2.1 Run ABAP Environment Booster

The easiest way to set up the ABAP Environment is via the Booster:

1. In the BTP Cockpit, go to your Trial Subaccount
2. Click “Boosters” in the left navigation
3. Search for “Prepare an Account for ABAP Development”
4. Click on the Booster and then “Start”

The Booster automatically:

• Creates an ABAP Environment service instance
• Sets up the necessary entitlements
• Creates a service key for ADT connection

Note: The Booster process takes about 15-30 minutes. You’ll receive an email notification when it’s complete.

2.2 Manual Setup (Alternative)

If the Booster is not available, you can also set up the ABAP Environment manually:

1. Check entitlements:

   • Go to Subaccount → Entitlements
   • Make sure “ABAP environment” with plan “trial” is present

2. Create service instance:

   • Go to Services → Instances and Subscriptions
   • Click “Create”
   • Select Service: “ABAP environment”
   • Plan: “trial”
   • Enter a name (e.g., “abap-trial”)
   • Click “Create”

3. Create service key:

   • After instance creation, click on the instance
   • Go to “Service Keys”
   • Create a new key (Name: e.g., “adt-key”)

2.3 Get ABAP System Access

After successful setup, you have the following information:

• Service URL: The URL of your ABAP Environment (e.g., https://xxx.abap.eu10.hana.ondemand.com)
• Admin User: Automatically linked to your SAP ID
• Tenant: Your individual ABAP environment

You can find this information in the Service Key or in the email notification.

Step 3: Install ADT (ABAP Development Tools)

ADT is the Eclipse-based development environment for ABAP Cloud. The classic SAP GUI no longer works here.

3.1 Install Eclipse

1. Download Eclipse IDE for Java Developers:

   • eclipse.org/downloads
   • Recommended: Eclipse 2024-12 or newer

2. Install Eclipse:

   • Windows: Run installer
   • macOS: Open .dmg, drag to Applications
   • Linux: Extract tar.gz, run eclipse

3. Start Eclipse and select a Workspace folder

3.2 Install ADT Plugin

1. In Eclipse: Help → Install New Software…

2. Click “Add…” and add the following update site:

   • Name: SAP Development Tools
   • Location: https://tools.hana.ondemand.com/latest

3. Select “ABAP Development Tools” from the list

4. Click “Next” and follow the installation wizard

5. Accept the license terms

6. Restart Eclipse when prompted

Alternative installation via Eclipse Marketplace:

• Help → Eclipse Marketplace
• Search for “ABAP Development Tools”
• Click “Install”

3.3 ADT Configuration

After installation, I recommend the following settings:

1. Open ABAP perspective:

   • Window → Perspective → Open Perspective → Other → ABAP

2. Set formatter (optional):

   • Window → Preferences → ABAP Development → Editors → Source Code Editors → ABAP Formatter

3. Enable auto-save (recommended):

   • Window → Preferences → General → Editors → Autosave

Step 4: Connect to ABAP Environment

4.1 Create ABAP Cloud Project

1. In ADT: File → New → ABAP Cloud Project

2. Select “SAP BTP ABAP Environment”

3. Click “Open Logon Page in Browser”

4. Log in with your SAP Universal ID

5. After successful login, ADT automatically switches back

6. Select your ABAP System from the list

7. Enter a Project name (e.g., “BTP_TRIAL”)

8. Click “Finish”

4.2 Verify Connection

After successful connection, you’ll see in the Project Explorer:

BTP_TRIAL
├── Favorite Packages
├── Released Objects
│   ├── ABAP Cloud Development
│   ├── CDS
│   └── ...
└── System Library

Successfully connected! You can now start developing.

4.3 Create Package for Your Developments

Before writing code, you need your own package:

1. Right-click on your project → New → ABAP Package

2. Fill in the fields:

   • Name: ZLEARNING (or your desired name with Z prefix)
   • Description: My Learning Package
   • Add to favorite packages: ✅ Enable

3. Click “Next”

4. Select “Create a new request” for the transport

5. Click “Finish”

Your package now appears under Favorite Packages.

Step 5: Your First Hello World Program

Now it’s getting exciting! Let’s write your first ABAP Cloud program.

5.1 Create ABAP Class

In ABAP Cloud, we no longer write reports but work object-oriented with classes.

1. Right-click on your package → New → ABAP Class

2. Fill in the fields:

   • Name: ZCL_HELLO_WORLD
   • Description: My First ABAP Cloud Class
   • Add ABAP Doc: ✅ Optional but recommended

3. Click “Next” → Select transport request → “Finish”

5.2 Implement Hello World

ADT automatically opens the editor. Replace the generated code:

CLASS zcl_hello_world DEFINITION
  PUBLIC
  FINAL
  CREATE PUBLIC.

  PUBLIC SECTION.
    INTERFACES if_oo_adt_classrun.

  PROTECTED SECTION.

  PRIVATE SECTION.

ENDCLASS.

CLASS zcl_hello_world IMPLEMENTATION.

  METHOD if_oo_adt_classrun~main.
    out->write( 'Hello, ABAP Cloud World!' ).
    out->write( |Today is { cl_abap_context_info=>get_system_date( ) DATE = USER }| ).
    out->write( |Welcome, { cl_abap_context_info=>get_user_technical_name( ) }!| ).
  ENDMETHOD.

ENDCLASS.

5.3 Run Program

1. Save: Ctrl + S
2. Activate: Ctrl + F3
3. Run: F9 or Right-click → Run As → ABAP Application (Console)

Output in ABAP Console:

Hello, ABAP Cloud World!
Today is 02/14/2026
Welcome, CB123456789!

Congratulations! You’ve written and executed your first ABAP Cloud program!

5.4 Code Explanation

Let’s understand the code:

Step 6: Further Exercises

6.1 Database Access with CDS Views

Create your first CDS View:

1. Right-click on package → New → Other ABAP Repository Object
2. Search for “Data Definition”
3. Name: ZI_HELLO_DEMO

@AbapCatalog.viewEnhancementCategory: [#NONE]
@AccessControl.authorizationCheck: #NOT_REQUIRED
@EndUserText.label: 'Demo CDS View'

define view entity ZI_HELLO_DEMO
  as select from I_Language
{
  key Language,
      LanguageISOCode,
      LanguageName
}
where
  Language = 'D' or Language = 'E'

6.2 Use CDS View in Class

Extend your class:

METHOD if_oo_adt_classrun~main.
  out->write( 'Available Languages:' ).
  out->write( '---' ).

  SELECT * FROM zi_hello_demo INTO TABLE @DATA(lt_languages).

  LOOP AT lt_languages INTO DATA(ls_lang).
    out->write( |{ ls_lang-language }: { ls_lang-languagename }| ).
  ENDLOOP.
ENDMETHOD.

6.3 Next Steps

After mastering Hello World, I recommend:

1. Create and understand CDS View Entities
2. RAP Basics with a simple managed scenario
3. Use Fiori Elements Preview
4. Work through RAP Tutorial Part 1

Common Errors and Solutions

Error 1: “ABAP environment” not in Entitlements

Problem: The service doesn’t appear in the Entitlements list.

Solution:

• Make sure you created the Trial Account in the correct region
• Check if the Trial Account is active (not expired)
• Sometimes helps: Delete subaccount and create new one

Error 2: Booster stuck at “In Progress”

Problem: The Booster runs forever without progress.

Solution:

• Wait at least 30 minutes
• Check Booster status under “Boosters” → “History”
• For persistent problems: Try manual setup

Error 3: ADT Connection Timeout

Problem: ADT cannot establish connection.

Solution:

• Check your internet connection
• Check firewall settings (Port 443)
• Clear browser cache and log in again
• Disable VPN (if active)

Error 4: “No service key found”

Problem: ADT can’t find a service key.

Solution:

1. Go to BTP Cockpit
2. Navigate to your ABAP Environment instance
3. Create a new service key
4. Try connection again

Error 5: Eclipse crashes or is slow

Problem: Performance issues in Eclipse/ADT.

Solution:

• Increase Eclipse memory in eclipse.ini:

  -Xms512m
  -Xmx2048m

• Close unused projects
• Update to latest Eclipse version

Error 6: “User is not authorized”

Problem: Authorization error when accessing objects.

Solution:

• Make sure you’re the owner of the subaccount
• Check if ABAP Environment is fully provisioned
• Wait 10-15 minutes after creation and try again

Error 7: Trial Account expired

Problem: After 90 days, the account is no longer usable.

Solution:

• You can extend the Trial once for another 90 days
• Click “Extend Trial” in BTP Cockpit
• After the second period: Create new Trial Account with different email

Trial Account Limitations

Be aware that the Trial Account has some limitations:

Recommendation: Regularly back up your code with abapGit in case the Trial Account expires or problems occur.

Best Practices for Trial Account

1. Work regularly

The Trial Account may be deactivated after prolonged inactivity. Log in at least every 2 weeks.

2. Back up code with abapGit

Connect your Trial Account to a GitHub repository:

• All developments are backed up
• You can import the code into a new Trial Account
• Learn version control at the same time

3. Proceed in a structured way

Use the Trial Account for:

• Tutorials and Learning Journeys
• Experiments with new features
• Preparation for ABAP Cloud Certification

4. Use the community

For problems, these help:

• SAP Community
• Stack Overflow - SAP Tag
• SAP Developer Tutorials comments

Conclusion

With the SAP BTP Trial Account, you have a fully-featured ABAP Cloud development environment - for free. Setup takes about an hour, and after that you can:

• ✅ Learn modern ABAP Cloud syntax
• ✅ Create CDS Views
• ✅ Develop RAP applications
• ✅ Prepare for certification

Your next step:

Now that your environment is running, dive deeper:

1. RAP Tutorial Part 1: First Fiori App
2. Understanding CDS View Entities
3. Prepare for ABAP Cloud Certification

Good luck with your first steps in ABAP Cloud!

Further Resources

• SAP BTP Trial Documentation
• SAP Developer Tutorials
• ADT Installation Guide (SAP Help)
• abapGit Tutorial - Back up and version control code